Hyperkin's SupaBoy is a Super Nintendo handheld that plays actual cartridges

Retro gaming handhelds have come a long way in recent years thanks to improvements in emulation, mobile chips, and display technology, and a wide variety of models and options aim to recreate the gaming experience of yesteryear. Hyperkin's SupaBoy Portable Retro Gaming Console is different: it's built for 16-bit-era collectors and old-school gamers who still have a box full of retro games somewhere.

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The SupaBoy Portable Retro Gaming Console doesn't play ROMs; it supports actual Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges across PAL, NTSC, and JP regions. With a handheld design that mimics the SNES controller's shape and form, plus front controller ports compatible with original pads and accessories like the SNES mouse, it feels like a love letter to Super Nintendo fans who have always wanted a portable, on-the-go 16-bit SNES.

As seen in the images, when you insert a Super Nintendo cartridge into the Hyperkin SupaBoy, it still sticks out of the handheld à la the original console, another fun nod to the 16-bit era.

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As for the display, it sports a 4.3-inch IPS panel described as "premium" and featuring a wide viewing angle. Since we're emulating an early-1990s console with a native resolution of 256 x 224 pixels, the big question is how well it can recreate that old-school CRT feel. That said, the SupaBoy Portable also doubles as a full SNES with AV output, letting players connect seamlessly to a compatible TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Open a question for an answer from TweakTown's coverage of this news, or ask your own below.

Question #1

Which SNES and Super Famicom cartridge regions does the SupaBoy support, and are there any compatibility exceptions?

The SupaBoy supports actual Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges from PAL, NTSC, and JP regions. No compatibility exceptions are mentioned in the provided coverage.

Question #2

How does the SupaBoy's AV output work when connecting it to a TV, and what cables are required?

Answer question

Question #3

Do the Crimson and translucent Prime colorways have any hardware differences from the standard SupaBoy?

No hardware differences are mentioned for the Crimson and translucent Prime colorways. They are described as limited-edition color options for the same SupaBoy, which still supports actual Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges and uses the same 4.3-inch IPS display.

Question #4

What comes included with the SupaBoy pre-order, and do buyers need to provide their own cartridges or accessories?

The pre-order listing in this story does not mention any bundled extras, so it does not show any cartridges or accessories coming in the box. The SupaBoy plays actual Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges, which means buyers would need their own games. It also has front controller ports for original pads and accessories like the SNES mouse, but no included accessory bundle is described.

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The SupaBoy Portable Retro Gaming Console, available in new limited-edition colors, is available for pre-order in the US and EU, with an MSRP of $129.99, €129.9, and £119.99. With Crimson and translucent Prime colorways, Hyperkin confirms a release date of October 28, 2026, for this impressive, albeit niche, retro gaming device.